The emblematic and beloved lion of the Valencian park turned 19 last September, a very old age for this species.
Although the advanced age of the animal and the state of health that was gradually deteriorating already showed an inevitable end, The BIOPARC Valencia team is very saddened by the death of Keops, the lion of majestic bearing and wild beauty that He turned 19 last September. and which was one of the first animals to arrive at the park in February 2007.
At BIOPARC the welfare of all animals which it houses is one of the fundamental pillars, and this efficiency, attached to the vocation, love and empathy for living beings, has led to caring for and delivering all “pampering” to Cheops until the time came to make the hardest and most difficult decision for people who have animals in their care. After overcoming several extremely delicate moments of health, on this occasion there were no alternatives and in order to avoid suffering, euthanasia was performed.
From the Parc Zoologique de Thoiry in France, Cheops He came to BIOPARC to join Fa, the lioness 2 years younger than him who was transferred from the Viveros Zoo, with whom he has formed a beautiful couple for 10 years. Both have enjoyed these years sunbathing, lying on the grass, sharpening their nails and, especially Cheops, climbing the rocks that recreate the Kopjes of the African Savannah to, from there, where everyone could see and hear him, show off his prodigious roar. A “movie” image that many Valencians will keep in their memory and that reminds us that the lion is the King of the jungle.
With a Life expectancy in their habitat between 12 and 16 years and up to 20 years in captivity, Cheops has been one of these exceptional cases, which is why BIOPARC has always wanted to give you the maximum quality of life, maintaining the exit protocol to the outdoor area until the last day. Many people made inquiries about the calm behavior and thin appearance of the beautiful lion and during this time it was explained that it was simply a "old man" that he deserved, more than ever, to peacefully enjoy his last years of life. Today from BIOPARC we want to remember that character of Cheops which inspired a post on the park's blog titled “The character of the king” written by your team of caregivers. It was on the occasion of his 17th birthday and, as always, we could see him with his partner Fa. Everyone at BIOPARC is very sad about the loss of a member of their animal family but satisfied to know that during his life and until his last moments the best was done for this pioneer inhabitant of this piece of Africa in Valencia.
Two groups of lions live in BIOPARC. One formed by a herd with the adult male Teimoso, 12 years old, the females Luana of the same age, Sortuda, 9 years old, Tata, 6 years old, and the youngest Shanga, 2 years old, and the other was made up of Keops and Fa. Visitors will continue to see this young breeding group and we will fondly follow the evolution of Fa, who is now especially “pampered” by her team of caregivers.
